Fire forces 14 from apartment complex south of Everett

EVERETT — An early morning fire in south Everett today forced 14 people from their apartments and caused more than $200,000 damage. Two people from the apartment building were evaluated for smoke inhalation.

Residents of the Hampton Court apartments, located in the 11200 block of Ninth Place W., reported the fire in the two-story, four-unit building at 2:52 a.m.

A 20-year-old man discovered the fire on the back deck of the second-floor apartment he shared with his mother. He woke his mother and a guest. The guest used a fire extinguisher, but the fire was too big for him to fight. Flames from the deck had already spread to the roof and attic when firefighters arrived, said Leslie Hynes, public information officer for Snohomish County Fire District 1.

All residents safely exited the building. A woman and a teenage boy who both attempted to enter the burning building were evaluated at the scene for exposure to smoke. The teenager was taken by aid car to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett for further evaluation and treatment.

More than 25 firefighters from Fire District 1, Mukilteo and Lynnwood responded and had the fire under control in about 30 minutes. They kept the fire from spreading to other units in the building, Hynes said.

Firefighters searching the building located three cats that survived in the apartment where the fire started.

That apartment was heavily damaged. The roof of the building will need to be replaced. Residents of all four units in the building will have to find other lodging until repairs can be made. Some may be able to relocate to vacant units in the same apartment complex. None of the residents have insurance. Red Cross responded to provide assistance, Hynes said.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation by the Snohomish County Fire Marshal’s Office. Investigators are looking at two possible causes: smoking materials or an electrical appliance that may have been in use on the deck prior to the fire.